Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Van der Sar will not make the trip, although he is not injured, missing a game only two days after it was announced this will be the 40-year-old's final season.

Recent signing Anders Lindegaard could make his debut, although no final decision has been made, and whichever goalkeeper does play will have to do so behind a makeshift defence, with Rio Ferdinand (groin), Patrice Evra (family bereavement), and Rafael da Silva (concussion) all out.